Hand and wrist covering for use in providing stabilized gripping

ABSTRACT

A grip stabilizing hand and wrist covering includes a hand and wrist sleeve having a first side that overlies a palm of a hand and a second side that overlies a back of the hand, a finger receiving portion through which fingers of the hand can extend out from the hand and wrist sleeve when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn, a thumb opening through which a thumb of the hand can extend out from the hand and wrist sleeve when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn, and a gripping portion coupled to an outer surface of the first side of the hand and wrist sleeve substantially coincident with the palm of the hand when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn, the gripping portion providing a high coefficient of friction when placed in contact with an exercise surface.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/000,995, filed on May 20, 2014, entitled “HAND AND WRIST COVERING FOR USE IN PROVIDING STABILIZED GRIPPING” by Blecher et al., having Attorney Docket No. BLURZ-001.PRO, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Yoga, Pilates, barre classes, and other exercise systems typically require a person to hold poses by placing their hands in contact with a surface or a barre. For example, in order to perform certain techniques or to hold certain poses, a person must keep their hands in solid contact with the floor or a barre. If the person's palms are sweaty, it may be very difficult or not possible for them to hold the required position, reducing the efficacy of the exercise or possibly putting the person in danger of injury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments and, together with the Description of Embodiments, serve to explain principles discussed below. The drawings referred to in this brief description of the drawings should not be understood as being drawn to scale unless specifically noted.

FIG. 1 is a first top front left elevational view of a hand and wrist covering as worn, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a second top front left elevational view of a hand and wrist covering as worn, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a front left elevational view of a hand and wrist covering as worn, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a right elevational view of a hand and wrist covering as worn, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a back left elevational view of a hand and wrist covering as worn, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a left elevational view of a hand and wrist covering as worn, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a hand and wrist covering as worn, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a hand and wrist covering as worn, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hand and wrist covering as worn while gripping a barre, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a hand and wrist covering as worn while placed on a flat surface, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a hand and wrist covering as worn while gripping a barre, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a side of a hand and wrist covering as worn while placed on a flat surface, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a front side of a hand and wrist covering as unworn, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a back side of a hand and wrist covering as unworn, in accordance with various embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While various embodiments are discussed herein, it will be understood that they are not intended to be limiting. On the contrary, the presented embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in this Description of Embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. However, embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the described embodiments.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a hand and wrist covering that is used to provide stabilized gripping. In one embodiment the hand and wrist covering includes a hand and wrist sleeve that is worn by a person. FIG. 1 is a first top front left elevational view of a hand and wrist sleeve 100 shaped as worn on example hand 150 and FIG. 2 is a second top front left elevational view of a hand and wrist sleeve 100 shaped as worn (hand not visible), in accordance with various embodiments. FIGS. 3-6 are additional elevational views of a hand and wrist sleeve 100, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are plan views of a hand and wrist sleeve 100. It should be appreciated that FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a shape of the hand and wrist sleeve 100 while it is worn by a person.

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 8, the hand and wrist sleeve 100 has a first side 120 that overlies a palm of a hand and a second side that overlies a back of the hand (e.g., second side 130 of FIGS. 4-6). The hand and wrist sleeve 100 also includes a finger receiving portion 102 through which fingers of the hand 150 can extend out from the hand and wrist sleeve 100 when the hand and wrist sleeve 100 is worn and a thumb opening 106 through which a thumb of the hand 150 can extend out from the hand and wrist sleeve 100 when the hand and wrist sleeve 100 is worn.

To wear hand and wrist sleeve 100, a person would place their hand into opening 104 and pulls hand and wrist sleeve 100 up their wrist, until their fingers protrude through finger receiving portion 102 and their thumb protrudes through thumb opening 106. It should be appreciated that hand and wrist sleeve 100 may also be worn as a wrist band by the wearer pulling their fingers back through receiving portion 102 and their thumb back through thumb opening 106, then rolling or bunching hand and wrist sleeve 100 over their wrist. This is useful for situations when enhanced gripping is not needed, but removal of the hand and wrist sleeve 100 is not wanted or necessary while still collecting perspiration or moisture.

In various embodiments, finger receiving portion 102, opening 104, and thumb receiving portion 106 are defined by edges 112, 114 and 116, respectively. It should be appreciated that edges 112, 114 and 116 may be hemmed, stitched, fastened or otherwise closed, for the purpose of reducing tears or snagging of edges 112, 114 and 116.

The hand and wrist sleeve 100 also includes at least one gripping portion 110 a-c coupled to an outer surface of the first side 120 of the hand and wrist sleeve 100. Gripping portions 110a-c provide a high coefficient of friction when placed in contact with a surface (e.g., a wooden floor, a tile floor, or a concrete floor), also referred to herein as an exercise surface. It should be appreciated that gripping portions 110 a-c are collectively referred to herein as gripping portion 110.

In one embodiment, gripping portion 110 a is substantially coincident with the palm of the hand 150 when the hand and wrist sleeve 100 is worn. It should be appreciated that hand and wrist sleeve 100 may include any number or size of gripping portions 110, and that gripping portions 110 may include any shape and size of individual components. For example, gripping portions 110 a-c are comprised of a plurality of circular gripping elements 115. However, it should be understood that gripping elements 115 may be of any shape or size (e.g., square, oval, rectangular, wavy lines, straight lines, etc.) Moreover, it should be appreciated that gripping elements 115 may be different from each other, and may be any letter, number, symbol, logo, etc.

It should be appreciated that the hand and wrist sleeve 100 can be fabricated from many different types of materials, and that such materials might include the qualities of, with limitation, breathability, flexibility, comfort, form fitting, etc. In one embodiment, the material of the hand and wrist sleeve 100 allows for the sleeve to fit the form of the wearer's hand and wrist, while allowing the flexibility required of movements performed while exercising. In one embodiment, the material is also absorptive for keeping the wearer's hands and palms dry during exercise by absorbing perspiration or other moisture.

It should also be appreciated that the hand and wrist sleeve 100 can be any length. For example, in one embodiment for warm weather use, the hand and wrist sleeve 100 may only cover the wrist or portion of the wrist. In another embodiment for cold weather use, the hand and wrist sleeve 100 may extend behind the elbow, covering more of the wearer's arm.

In one embodiment, the finger receiving portion 102 includes a single opening for receiving four fingers of the hand 150, such that the four fingers of the hand can extend out from the hand and wrist sleeve 100 when the hand and wrist sleeve 100 is worn. In another embodiment, the finger receiving portion 102 includes four individual finger openings for receiving the fingers such that the four fingers of the hand can extend out from the hand and wrist sleeve 100 when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn. In one embodiment, the four individual finger openings include four individual finger sleeves through which each finger can extend out from when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn. In another embodiment, the four individual finger openings are openings in a webbing at the finger receiving portion 102, wherein each finger has its own opening in the webbing.

In one embodiment, the thumb opening 106 includes a thumb sleeve through which the thumb can extend out from when the hand and wrist sleeve 100 is worn.

Gripping portion 110 is substantially coincident with the palm of the hand when the hand and wrist sleeve 100 is worn and provides a high coefficient of friction when placed in contact with an exercise surface. In one embodiment, the gripping portion 110 comprises a rubber material coupled to the hand and wrist sleeve 100. In another embodiment, gripping portion 110 includes a polymer that is disposed onto hand and wrist sleeve 100. It should be appreciated that many other types of materials might be used to provide the gripping portion 110, including, without limitation rubber, polymers, yoga mat materials, thermoplastic elastomers, etc. It should also be appreciated that the gripping portion 110 may be disposed on the hand and wrist sleeve 100 in a pattern (e.g., a pattern of dots).

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate examples of hand and wrist sleeve 100 in use. FIG. 9 is a perspective view and FIG. 11 is a side view of a hand and wrist sleeve 100 as worn while gripping a barre, in accordance with various embodiments. As shown, while hand 150 is grasping the barre, gripping elements 115 of gripping portion 110 are in contact with the barre. Enhanced gripping is provided due to the high coefficient of friction of the gripping portion 110 relative to the barre.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view and FIG. 12 is a side view of a hand and wrist sleeve 100 as worn while placed on a flat surface, in accordance with various embodiments. As shown, while hand 150 is open and placed on a flat surface, gripping elements 115 of gripping portion 110 are in contact with the flat surface. Enhanced gripping is provided due to the high coefficient of friction of the gripping portion 110 relative to the flat surface.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a front side of a hand and wrist sleeve 100 as unworn and FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a back side of a hand and wrist sleeve 100 as unworn, in accordance with various embodiments. As shown, when hand and wrist sleeve 100 is no worn, it may return to a resting shape (e.g., flat or un-stretched). It should be appreciated that edges 112, 114 and 116 may be of any thickness.

Example embodiments of the subject matter are thus described. Although various embodiments of the have been described in a language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A grip stabilizing hand and wrist covering comprising: a hand and wrist sleeve having a first side that overlies a palm of a hand and a second side that overlies a back of the hand; a finger receiving portion through which fingers of the hand can extend out from the hand and wrist sleeve when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn; a thumb opening through which a thumb of the hand can extend out from the hand and wrist sleeve when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn; and a gripping portion coupled to an outer surface of the first side of the hand and wrist sleeve substantially coincident with the palm of the hand when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn, the gripping portion providing a high coefficient of friction when placed in contact with an exercise surface.
 2. The hand and wrist covering of claim 1, wherein the finger receiving portion comprises: a single opening for receiving four fingers of the hand, such that the four fingers of the hand can extend out from the hand and wrist sleeve when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn.
 3. The hand and wrist covering of claim 1, wherein the thumb opening comprises a thumb sleeve through which the thumb can extend out from when the hand and wrist sleeve is worn.
 4. The hand and wrist covering of claim 1, wherein the gripping portion comprises a rubber material coupled to the hand and wrist sleeve.
 5. The hand and wrist covering of claim 1, wherein the hand and wrist sleeve is a comprised of a material for absorbing moisture from the palm of the hand. 